Dear James: It’s a mess carrying firewood indoors, so I want to modernize my old brick fireplace with one that uses gas logs. Are there any tips on how to do this project myself? — Kathy H.

“Exposed interior brick is a beautiful addition to any home, and commonly appears on fireplace mantels because it’s fireproof,” says Alex Forte, a fire safety merchant at The Home Depot.

One day and a few rolls of color-coordinated paint, and interior designer Nancy Boyle can transform your fireplace. Faux Real: Couple finds painting technique to liven up dated brick fireplace ...

The brick facade has been painted white and is as ugly as can be. The fireplace also has a threshold that is 2 inches high; 5 feet, 2 inches wide; and 1 foot, 9 inches deep.

The general appearance of a fireplace surround should typically stand out from the rest of the room, becoming a focal point of the design, while enhancing the surrounding aesthetic.

Dear James: It’s a mess carrying firewood indoors, so I want to modernize my old brick fireplace with one that uses gas logs. Are there any tips on how to do this project myself? — Kathy H. Dea… ...